Indictment: Mom drove into river to kill her kids

MOUNT HOLLY — A southern New Jersey mom accused of trying to drown her three teenage children by driving a minivan into in the Delaware River earlier this year has been indicted on three counts of attempted murder.

Burlington County prosecutors say 50-year-old Joann Smith of Florence also faces three counts of child endangerment in the indictment returned Tuesday.

Authorities say Smith was driving in Florence on April 15 when she went onto a boat ramp and accelerated her vehicle as it approached the water. A bystander helped Smith and the children, who at the time were aged 15, 14 and 13, escape the partially submerged vehicle.

One child suffered cuts to the leg.

Smith is being evaluated at a state psychiatric facility. It wasn’t known Wednesday if she has retained a lawyer.